Improvement in spring-seats for wagons



'1. J. ALEXANDER.

Carriage-Seat;

Patented Nov. 7, 1865 [72 a ain! N.PErERS, PHOTOLITMOGRAPMER,WASHINGTON, D c v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEO THOMAS J. ALEXANDER,

on WESTERVILLE, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPRING-SEATS FOR WAGONS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. ALEXANDER, of Westerville, in the countyof Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Spring-Seat for Wagons; and I do hereby declare that the followin g is a full,clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part ofthis specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view; Fig. 2, alongitudinal section Fig. 3, a transverse or end view, and Fig. 4. anelevated transverse section.

The same letters refer to like parts in the ditt'erent figures.

AA is a wagon-box, on which-rests the slats B B. These slats are held totheir proper place on the edges of the box by thelinks G G, which areriveted to the slats and pass down the sides of the box, as shown inFig. 1 at D D. These links also support the knees E E E E by looserivets passing through the lower end of the knees and the upper end ofthe links. These knees meet and (notch) pass each other in the centerunder the seat-board ff, as shown in Fig. 4 at G G. By thus passing eachother the edge of each board rests on both irons, thereby keeping themin their relative positions when depressed, as shown in Fig.3 at H.

The seat-boards F F are firmly bolted to the under cleat, I I, at theirouter edge at M, and at their inner edge to the knees at H H. Theseknees are provided with spurs K Kin Figs. 2 and 4, which pass part wayup. Through the boards is a round or square hole (see K K in Fig. 4)sufficiently large to let the knees have alateral or spreading motion.The boards ff, which form the seat, also form the spring by the peculiaraction of the knees, giving a twisting motion to the ends of theseat-boards, while the center are held by the cleat I, which is shownjnFig. 3 at H. The knees, within themselves, have no spring but by thepeculiar attachment to the links they yield to the flexibility of theseat-boards by the rocking or vibrating motion of the links, as shown atm in Fig. 3, while the links at the other end of the slat are notallowed to move, but retain-their vertical position by being firmlyattached to the slat.

The seat can have a back attached, as shown in Fig. 1, by end rods, 0 0,which work loosely in the raised eyelet on the knees at the edge of theseat, asshown at p p in Fig. 1. The back-board may be attached by likeeyelets on the back knees or by a strap or brace in the center to theunder cleat, I. By thus attaching of the back the seat-board has itsfree flexible action:

This seat possesses many advantages. It is simple and cheap inconstruction, and durable, and not liable to get out of order. It restsfirmly on the wagon-box, and is easily removed while loading andunloading.

It is well known that the elliptic spring being composed of severalstratums, which, rubbing on each other, create a large percentage offriction. While this seat is free from any rubbing parts leaves it freeof friction, and is therefore very sensitive, which readily relieves therider from that disagreeable jar or tremorwhile passin govercomparatively smooth roads with its lumber or farm wagon.

It is well known to mechanics that light pressure will give quitea'perceptible twist to aboard, yet to increase that twist it requires alarge increase of force. Therefore a seat constructed thus, free fromfriction and flexible to light pressure, will readily yield to theweight of one man, while at the same time it will readily carry two orthree over rough roads without danger of breaking under heavyconcussion, and thereby possessing all the requisite qualities ofconvenience, ease, strength, simplicity, cheapness, and durability.

Thus having described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

The spring-seat consisting of the boards ff, united by the cleat i andattached to the knees E E, combined with the links G U and slats B B,arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THOS. J. ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

L. R. GOODSPEED, It. It. ARNOLD.

